10 new members set to join Tri-County Hall of Fame

Former Spring-Ford girls basketball coach Jeff Rinehimer, who led the team to a state title this past season, will be among the 10 new inductees entering the Tri-County Chapter of the Pa. Hall of Fame on Oct. 12. (Mercury file photo)

POTTSTOWN — The mood will surely be somber and sad at the start of the Tri-County Hall of Fame banquet this year due to the deaths of longtime organizational mainstays Elmer “Chump” Pollock and Dave Detar since last year’s celebration.

There will be a moment of silence for the two men so instrumental in creating the Tri-County Area Chapter, with Pollock its longtime president.

But as the night progresses, the pride and joy will kick in with the newest class of the area’s former outstanding athletes inducted into Tri-County Area Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, at the 36th Awards Dinner and ceremony, starting at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Elks Lodge #814 on High Street, where it has been an annual tradition for many years.

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With 10 inductees chosen this year, it’s the largest number ever in the nearly four decades of the Tri-County Hall of Fame’s existence.

The chosen ones are: Brian Campbell, former Pottstown football and wrestling standout (1989); Elisabeth Elliott Deal, former Owen J. Roberts swim standout (early 1980s); Jamee Fizz, former Pottstown YMCA swim standout; Stan Glenn, former Pottstown football, basketball, and track standout (1982); Mike Lunn, former Pottstown baseball and football standout (1956); John “Jay” Nash, former Pottstown wrestling, track, and football standout (1972); Jeff Rinehimer, who coached Spring-Ford girls basketball team to five PAC-10 and two district title, and last season to the state title; Larry Seder, former St. Pius X football standout (1973); Pete Sovia, former St. Pius X basketball standout (70’s), and Marvin Whitehurst, former Pottstown baseball standout (1971-72).

“It’s certainly going to feel strange at the banquet this year without Chump and David,” said Dave Reidenouner, who took over as the chapter president prior to last year at the urging of Pollock, prior to Pollock’s death in October.

Pollock missed last year’s induction for the first time due to a leg injury, but Detar, the former chapter vice president, was there in full force manning the check-in table at the entrance to the Elks Home ballroom, as he always did. Then he suddenly passed away early May.

Reidenouer always attended the awards banquets and served as the Toastmaster for four years before Pollock and Detar suddenly summoned him and longtime St. Pius X and now Phoenixville boys basketball coach Randy Reber, also a longtime banquet attendee, to Detar’s home soon after the 2011 induction ceremonies to pass the torch to a new set of leaders.

“It was a very emotional thing for me,” Reidenouer recalled recently. “We were sitting at Dave Detar’s kitchen table, Randy Reber and I, and Chump said, “I just can’t do it anymore, I don’t have the energy anymore.’ I felt very, very honored that Chump picked me (to take over as chapter president).”

And Reidenouer ran the last year’s banquet without a hitch. But everybody sure thought Pollock’s familiar face would be back at the head table again this year. Sadly, it will not.

“I am really honored to have the baton passed on to me,” Reidenouer said. ”We will definitely find a way to honor both of those great guys.

”This is the biggest class to be inducted into our chapter and that is exciting.”

One of the most exciting things for Reidenouer right off the bat was calling his former Pottstown Steelers baseball buddy Pete Sovia to tell the current Upper Perkiomen girls basketball coach he was one of the inductees.

But long before that Sovia was a star basketball player at St. Pius X in the early 70’s. His junior year Sovia was All-State Honorable Mention, scoring 22 points per game. His senior season of 1974, he averaged 23 points per game and was named All-Suburban Catholic, All-State, and finished his career with a total 1,400 points, becoming Pius’ all-time leading scorer at the time. He was also The Mercury area’s all-time leading scorer. Sovia went on to play and coach at Ursinus and has been coaching for 35 years at various area schools.

“It’s quite an honor. I am absolutely thrilled, and actually humbled,” Sovia said, when reached by phone. “I was surprised. It’s been a long career, playing in high school, playing down at Ursinus, and then coaching at the high school and youth level.

“I received a call from Dave Reidenouer and he gave me the good news over the phone. We have been friends for many, many years, going back to when we were kids. We played baseball together, first for Town Toy, and then for the Pottstown Steelers. And he was actually in my wedding in 1983.”

To get that call from Reidenouer now was a shock, Sovio admitted.

“It was certainly a pleasant shock, but it was a shock,” he said. “It will be a very nice night at the Elks. I’m anxious to meet my Hall of Fame classmates, and other members who are going to be there.”

Sure, he did have that dream over the years that some day maybe a call would come informing him that he had been selected.

“But I had moved out of the area and I thought people forgot about me,” he said, with a chuckle.

Sovia lives with his family in Emmaus now, where he also coached at Emmaus High School in the late 80’s. But during his Pius days he lived right across the street from the school.

“It took me all of four minutes to walk up to Pius,” he recalled fondly.

And, obviously, people here have not forgotten about him.

Asked what has been more fun – playing or coaching, he said, “I’ve been equally blessed in playing and in coaching.

“Playing was an individual skill and hard work blended into a team environment. As for coaching, I really believe that the game of basketball is the ultimate team game, when it’s played correctly. And to draw that out of young athletes is a challenge and quite rewarding when it goes well.”

Rinehimer can certainly identify with that feeling and the two surely will have a lot to talk about that night.

Rinehimer coached the Spring-Ford girls basketball program to incredible heights, but resigned after last season after guiding the Rams for 19 years, to finally spend more time with his family.

And Rinehimer didn’t have to wonder if, as the years went on, people would forget about him.

He was instantly nominated and the Tri-County Chapter members also instantly voted for him.

“I was humbled by the experience of just getting nominated,” Rinehimer said. “That was great enough. And when I got lucky enough to get elected, it was a huge, huge thrill. It’s just a great year. It’s like a whirlwind, everything happening so fast.”

And it helps the high of the previous Spring-Ford girls basketball season lingers on.

“Oh, yes,” Rinehimer said. “You step back and get a chance to soak it in a little bit because everything went fast. The thing that the kids, and me, got out of it! Like a trip to Harrisburg. A great banquet. You really still don’t want to lose that feeling.”

And with the awards dinner coming up, it’s not over yet.

“I was there when my colleague Marty Moore went in,” Rinehimer said. “He went in with Jerry Ostroski, the Owen J. football player (2007). Marty taught right next to me (at Spring-Ford) for a lot of years. It’s just a huge honor being with these athletes.

“When I saw this year’s list, boy, I remembered some of them playing, others coaching. It’s just a huge honor to be going in with them. It will be a great time.”

All those football inductees will get some competition from the basketball fellows, that include Reber, on this night.

Reidenouer and Reber were both inductees years ago, Reidenouer in 1999, Reber in 2006.

“Because I thought it was a neat thing,” Reber said. “Then Dave Detar called me soon after Reidenouer had joined the committee and said, ‘We need some younger guys to come in and help,’ and asked me to also come on the committee. Not that we’re that young.”

But a bunch younger than the two old-timers who had been at it for 3½ decades.

“It’s going to be absolutely sad this year with Chump and Dave gone,” Reber said. “Not only did they do so much for the organization, kept it going getting it our 36th year, but they were good people. They really cared about the organization and cared about sports. Our meetings were always fun when we sat around and discussed it.

“And the thing we want to do is keep that going so that all their work doesn’t go for naught. We want to build on all the hard work and time that those two fellows put in for so many years to keep it going, while always trying to make it even bigger.

“And we’re really ecstatic about the upcoming inductions. Because not only do we have 10 good people getting inducted, the biggest class ever, but the fact that we’re getting three (previous inductees) into the state hall of fame the weekend after makes it all the more exciting.”

The three chosen to now add PA Hall of Fame honors to their previous Tri-County Hall of Fame selection are: former Pottstown and West Virginia football standout Aaron Beasley (2008), who went on to play several years in the NFL; former Pottstown three-sport and Penn State quarterback standout Tom Shuman (2003), who went on to play in the Canadian Football League; and former Boyertown and Concord College three-sport standout Marcia Brumbach (2000), and one of the area’s all-time great multi-sport coaches.

It is a special year for the Tri-County Area Chapter 36th annual Awards Dinner. And nothing would be more fitting to celebrate it than the fullest house ever, Saturday, October 12th, at the Elks Home.

Tickets are available for the general public at $30 per person. Call 484-300-1971 or email drmmqb@aol.com.

INDUCTEES

Brian Campbell: Starred at Pottstown High School in both wrestling and football before graduating in 1989. Was a three-time Sectional champ, named Outstanding Wrestler twice at Sectionals, a two-time SE Regional Champ, and two-time state qualifier. Won Silver Medal at the 1989 PA States at 140 pounds and finished his outstanding career with a 100-13 record. Went on to wrestle at Lock Haven and Millersville. In football, he led this area in total yards his senior year (1,249 rushing/202 receiving/38 passing) with 1,489 yards. He scored 122 points on 22 touchdowns and two extra points.

Elisabeth Elliott Deal: Swam for Owen J. Roberts in the early 1980s where she placed twice in the PA state championships. Swimming butterfly earned her a scholarship to Maryland, where she set the team record in the 200-meter butterfly in 1983. She has continued to swim and flourish after college winning many Master’s events for women, including the 100-meter and 200-meter butterfly races in 2004. Deal is currently ranked in the top 10 in the U.S. Women’s Masters.

Jamee Fizz: Swam summers locally and was a women’s league champion three times. Was a standout and set many age group records as a youth. Also swam for the Pottstown YMCA, where she was ranked nationally in the top five in butterfly for two years. Won many district and state titles for the YMCA. She earned a scholarship to swim in college at Indiana University of PA. She was the varsity co-captain two years, 1993-1995, and was All-PSAC four years. She was a five-time NCAA All-American.

Stan Glenn: Won eight varsity letters at Pottstown High School in football, basketball, and track before graduating in 1982. Received numerous All-ChesMont honors during his career. Accepted a full scholarship to The Citadel, where he majored in Business Administration. Was named Freshman of the Year in ’83 as a runningback. He graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant from The Citadel in 1986. Is currently a Special Education teacher and a football coach in South Carolina.

Mike Lunn: Graduated from Pottstown High School, where he played baseball and football, in 1956. Received most of his recognition as a catcher in baseball. Was awarded the Shandy Hill MVP in ’55, and was a member of the Pottstown High School baseball team that won 48 straight games and was inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. Played baseball at West Chester State Teacher’s College. He taught health and physical education before retiring in 1993. He coached at all the secondary levels and excelled as a head wrestling coach. Was inducted into the Boyertown Hall of Fame as a wrestling coach. Lunn entered USMC in 1960 and was an active reserve till 1973 when he retired as a major.

John “Jay” Nash: Earned nine varsity letters before graduating from Pottstown High School in 1972. Was a standout in wrestling, track, and football. Was a heavyweight Sectional champion two years, and a Regional champion once. Had a 19-1-1 record senior year. Also was an outstanding weight man in track, throwing the shot and discus. Held the shot put record at Pottstown High School for many years. He really excelled on the gridiron, was named First Team OT and DT All-ChesMont, and also the Defensive Player of the Year. Nash played in the Big 33 and Montgomery County All-Star games. Received a full scholarship to Maryland where he was a three-year starter on the offensive line. Played in the Liberty, Gator, and Cotton Bowls while at Maryland.

Jeff Rinehimer: Started coaching in Junior High at Boyertown, and for six years had a very successful run. He then started at Spring-Ford and coached the girls basketball team for 19 years. His career record at Spring-Ford is 321-166. He won five PAC-10 titles, two District 1-AAAA titles, and four of his teams advanced to PIAA playoffs. In 2012 they made the Final Four at states, and capped off a great career with a PIAA Class AAAA championship in 2013. It was the first state championship of any kind at Spring-Ford High School.

Larry Seder: Was a standout at St. Pius X before graduating in 1973. Was an All-League and All-State selection as a defensive tackle his senior year. Was a key player on a defense that allowed only 40 points, while registering six shutouts. Played in the Philadelphia Classic and Montgomery County All-Star games. Was awarded full scholarship to University of Maryland. His junior season at Maryland was named First Team All-ACC nose tackle, and played in the Hall of Fame Bowl, as the Terps were ranked as high as No. 2. He broke his ankle in first game of senior year, but was projected as a third round NFL draft choice before injury.

Pete Sovia: Was a basketball star at St. Pius X in the early 1970s. His sophomore year he received honorable mention Suburban Catholic League. His junior year received honorable mention All-State, averaging 22 points per game. His senior season of ’74 he averaged 23 points per game, was named All-Suburban Catholic, and All-State. He finished his career as the all-time leading scorer at Pius and in The Mercury area with 1,400 points. Is considered one of the best pure shooters of the area. He played at Ursinus College, and has coached locally for 35 years.

Marvin Whitehurst: Starred at Pottstown High School on the baseball diamond. His 1971 and ’72 teams won the ChesMont League championship. Played outfield and pitched on those teams. Had a 5-1 record his senior season with a 1.96 ERA, and had 47 K’s in 37 innings pitched. He hit .364 and led the Trojans with four home runs and 21 RBI. The 6’4” lefty is considered one of the fastest ever to play at Pottstown High School. Was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1973, played three seasons, had nearly 1,000 at bats, a .250 average, 25 doubles, nine triples, and 19 home runs. Also stole 30 bases during his career.

About the Author

Rosemarie Ross is a veteran sports reporter for The Mercury. A native of Germany, she began her career with the former United Press International pioneering the role of women in sports reporting. She was worked in Trenton, Phladelphia and Patterson, N.J. and has covered pro sports and boxing. She is a member of the National Hall of Fame for her boxing coverage. She covers high school sports -- and loves it. Reach the author at rross@pottsmerc.com
or follow Rosemarie on Twitter: @RoseRoss31.